Golden Waters

Chapter 6

Written by: Toasy
Edited by: Fench
Chapter 6

Hey guys! I'm so sorry for the long wait. The holidays were really busy for me and I was really stressed with a bunch of stuff to do so we decided to go on a short hiatus until my work load could lighten up some. Because as much as I love this story my mental and physical health comes first. But I want you guys to know that we both are really passionate about this book and will finish it no matter what. 
Anyway, please enjoy this chapter :) 

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Archer takes a deep breath, breathing in the salty ocean air. He opens his mismatched eyes and stares at the horizon, focusing on the way the ship rocks under his feet, the sound of seagulls crying overhead, the taste of fish and salt in his mouth. He rubs his hands over the wooden railing nervously, his calloused palms being almost immune to splinters at this point. He glances down from his perch at his crew busy working. Seàn stands at the helm, his accented voice floating up to Archer as he yells his orders.

"I'm fine." Archer mutters to himself under his breath. "I'm always fine." 

With that he turns and slips his feet into the netting he uses as a ladder. He was halfway down to the desk when he heard it. The sound of Seàn's voice drifting over to caress his ears. A sickly sweet melody, sung with an accented flare and a rough rasp that makes it rawer. 

"I thought I heard the old man say," The Irish Quartermaster starts. Archer's heart rate quickens and his palm grows sweaty. I can't stay swinging here. The crew has seen me get halfway down. They'll grow suspicious if I climb back up. Archer thinks to himself. Carefully, inch by inch he makes his way down, trying to focus on the climb instead of the chorus rising from the deck. 

"Leave her Johnny leave her!" The whole crew sings in low, raspy voices. "Tomorrow ye will get your pay," It's just Seàn again this time. "And it's time for us to leave her." The whole crew's voice mingles together in one beautiful, sorrowful melody. 

They don't mean it like that. Archer thinks to himself as his worn boots hit the deck. They aren't trying to make fun of you. They're just trying to keep from being so bored. The Johnny they're singing about isn't you. 

"Leave her, Johnny, leave her. Oh! Leave her, Johnny, leave her. For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow. And it's time for us to leave her." A couple crew members look up from their work as Archer walks by. They smile as best they can while still singing, each individual voice not being completely without the voice of his mate. 

Keep calm. Just breathe. It's not about you, or Evera, it's just a famous sea shanty. Don't be so selfish. Everything's fine. Archer says to himself over and over like a mantra, nodding approvingly at his crew as he tries to focus on his crew's work and not the song they sing. 

"Oh the wind was foul and the sea ran high!" Archer looks up at Seàn, who stares straight ahead at the horizon, his voice a sickly sweet mixture of soft and rough, leading the dozens of men and women in the song. "Leave her, Johnny, leave her. She shipped it green and none went by. "And it's time for us to leave her." 

Archer walks towards the helm, climbing the stairs to reach Seàn. "Leave her, Johnny, leave her. Oh! Leave her, Johnny, leave her. For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow. And it's time for us to leave her."  As he walks towards his friend and mentor, the Irishman closes his eyes and sings his next verse. 

"I hate to sail on this rotten tub" He sings with a rough growl. "Leave her, Johnny, leave her." The crew choruses. "No grog allowed and rotten grub!" Seàn opens his eyes and spots Archer, his green eyes lighting up. 
"And it's time for us to leave her."